Osteoarthritis of the jaw (arthrosis of the jaw) | Causes, symptoms and treatment

Osteoarthritis of the jaw is joint wear and tear in the jaw joint and jaw meniscus. In this large guide on jaw osteoarthritis, we take a closer look at causes, symptoms, exercises and treatment.

Osteoarthritis of the jaw is also known as osteoarthritis of the jaw. This condition can lead to knotting, crunching, biting pain, aching, pain and generally reduced function. Sore jaw can, among other things, make it difficult to chew crackers and harder food products. The diagnosis can, in most cases, be improved with the help of self-measures, recommended exercises and physical treatment. Osteoarthritis of the jaw involves the breakdown of cartilage and bone tissue inside the jaw joint itself, as well as the meniscus itself in the jaw (cartilage-like structure).

- Snapping and crunching noises in the jaw?

When we open and close our mouth, a lot happens inside the jaw. The jaw joint is also known as the temporomandibular joint. It consists of the upper jaw (the temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible). Inside the joint itself, we have cartilage and synovial fluid which ensure that movement is as flexible as possible. But if there are wear and tear changes in the jaw or muscular imbalances, this can affect how the joint works. The result can be 'slipping' and the joint surfaces almost 'rubbing' against each other, which in turn can create unpleasant clicking sounds and crunching when we chew or gape (temporomandibular dysfunction with crepitus). You can also read a comprehensive guide that our clinic department at Lambertseter in Oslo has written about TMD syndrome here .

"The article has been written and quality checked by publicly authorized health personnel. This includes both physiotherapists and chiropractors at Pain clinics Interdisciplinary Health (see clinic overview here). You can get to know our core values ​​and quality focus better here . We always recommend having your pain assessed by knowledgeable healthcare personnel. "

Tips: Further down in the jaw osteoarthritis guide shows chiropractor Alexander Andorff you a training video with recommended exercises to relieve the jaw area (You may be surprised by which these are). In this article, we also give concrete advice on self-measures and self-help, such as sleeping with head pillow with memory foam, relaxation with neck hammock and training with jaw trainer. Links to product recommendations open in a new browser window.

In this guide on osteoarthritis of the jaw, we will talk more about:

1. Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the jaw

2. Causes of osteoarthritis of the jaw

3. Self-measures and self-help against osteoarthritis of the jaw

4. Prevention of osteoarthritis of the jaw (including exercises)

5. Treatment of osteoarthritis of the jaw

6. Diagnosing osteoarthritis of the jaw

It is very important to take osteoarthritis of the jaw seriously, as all forms of osteoarthritis are progressive diagnoses (getting progressively worse). By taking action, you can help to slow down the development of osteoarthritis in the jaw, and work actively to ensure the best possible jaw function. At our clinic departments, we have highly skilled clinicians, with distinctive professional expertise, who work daily with the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of jaw problems (including osteoarthritis of the jaw and TMD syndrome). Remember that all you have to do is contact us, at any time, if you need guidance and help.

1. Symptoms of osteoarthritis in the jaw

Early symptoms of jaw osteoarthritis often start as a feeling of stiffness and discomfort with certain jaw movements. Then, when osteoarthritis worsens, this can result in worsening symptoms and pain.

- Later stages of jaw osteoarthritis in particular produce more crepitus

The clicking sounds that some people hear when gaping and chewing are also known as jaw crepitus. There is a higher incidence of such noises in the later stages of jaw osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that in a number of patients crepitus can occur approximately two years after the earliest signs and symptoms. This also applies to TMD syndrome and arthritis.¹

• Clicking noises in the jaw when gaping or biting (crepitus)

• Local tenderness to touch on the jaw joint

• May cause referred pain to the face and ear

• A feeling of stiffness in the jaw

• The jaw can lock

• Reduced gap mobility

• Pain in the jaw joint when chewing

• Increased risk of compensatory pain in the neck and headache

Many people are not aware of how closely linked the functions of the neck and jaw are, but the truth is that the two anatomical structures can affect each other negatively if one does not work. Studies have documented that people with jaw problems also have a high incidence of neck pain.² And vice versa. They concluded the following:

"High levels of muscle tenderness in upper trapezius and temporalis muscles correlated with high levels of jaw and neck dysfunction. Moreover, high levels of neck disability correlated with high levels of jaw disability. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the neck and its structures when evaluating and treating patients with TMD."

They found significant evidence that tension and tenderness in the upper trapezius muscles (in the shoulder arches and the nape of the neck) and temporalis (on the side of the head) was consistent with increased complaints in the jaw and neck. In addition, they saw that malfunctions in the neck had a direct impact on the jaw, and emphasized the importance of including physical treatment of the neck in jaw patients. Such treatment can consist of both active treatment techniques, such as muscle work and joint mobilization, in combination with specially adapted rehabilitation exercises.

- Why is the jaw extra stiff and painful in the morning?

When we sleep or are at rest, we naturally have a reduced circulation of blood and synovial fluid. This causes the muscles to be less flexible and the joint surfaces to be stiffer when we wake up. But with osteoarthritis of the jaw, this stiffness can be significantly stronger due to the wear and tear changes. Here, however, it is important to mention that poor sleep and TMD syndrome appear to be strongly linked.³ That reduced sleep quality and neck pain are associated with jaw complaints takes us further to our recommendation to sleep on head pillow with modern memory foam. Such head pillows have a documented positive effect for improved sleep quality and less breathing disturbances.⁴

Our recommendation: Try sleeping with a memory foam pillow

We spend very many hours of our lives in bed. And that is precisely where we rest and recover sore muscles and stiff joints. Research has documented positive effects of sleeping on head pillow with memory foam - which is again positive for both the jaw and the neck. You can read more about our recommendation here .

Osteoarthritis of the jaw can lead to calcifications and worn-out joint cartilage

Osteoarthritis of the jaw refers to wear-and-tear changes in the joint surface and the cartilage in the jaw joint itself. The body works around the clock with the maintenance and repair of soft tissue and joint tissue. But it is also the case that this ability to repair becomes worse as we get older. We then end up with incomplete repair processes which can result in the formation of calcium deposits (called calcifications) in the joint. In addition to this, the surface of the cartilage can become less smooth and less flexible as it breaks down. Maintaining good jaw mobility and muscle function is important to slow down such degradation processes.

2. Causes of osteoarthritis of the jaw

Osteoarthritis and joint wear and tear primarily affect weight-bearing joints, so it is therefore more common to have osteoarthritis in the knees and hips than it is in the jaw joint. Joints are advanced structures consisting of tendons, cartilage, synovial fluid and synovium. Joint wear and tear occurs when external loads overload the joint's ability to resist, as well as the joint's ability to repair itself. Blood circulation supplies the jaw joint with nutrients for self-repair and maintenance. Light jaw exercises can therefore be a good way to maintain circulation in the jaw. Studies have shown that approximately 8-16% are affected by clinically documentable osteoarthritis of the jaw, and that it occurs far more frequently in women.⁵ Common risk factors for osteoarthritis of the jaw include:

• Gender (women are more frequently affected)

• Bruxism (teeth grinding)

• Error loading

• Muscular imbalances

• Age (increased incidence as we age)

• Genetics

• epigenetics

• Diet

• Smoking (increases the risk of osteoarthritis due to impaired circulation)

• Poor neck function

• Previous jaw injury or fracture

Some of the most common risk factors for developing osteoarthritis in the jaw thus involve jaw injuries and possible jaw fractures, as well as genetic factors. These are factors over which we have no control. But fortunately, there are a number of factors that we can actually work actively to improve, including diet, good self-measures, exercise and lifestyle.

3. Self-measures and self-help against osteoarthritis in the jaw

Earlier in the article, we have already visited good advice in relation to certain self-measures and self-help against jaw osteoarthritis, including sleeping on head pillow with memory foam. But there are also many other good self-measures you can try. Among other things, we know muscle tension, bruxism (teeth grinding at night) and neck problems are directly related to jaw problems, so it is therefore natural to recommend that you also try relaxation techniques. For example, when using neck hammock, which aims to stretch out the muscles and joints of the neck in a good way.

Our recommendation: Relaxation in a neck hammock

En neck hammock as this is a common sight among physiotherapists, manual therapists and chiropractors - where it is often used in neck treatment. It uses the form of treatment we call traction, which involves stretching the muscles and joints of the neck - with adapted stretching. Earlier in the article we talked about how important the neck is for the jaw, so this can also be good self-help against jaw problems. Press here to read more about our recommendation.

4. Prevention of osteoarthritis of the jaw (including exercises)

As we mentioned in point 2 about the causes of osteoarthritis, there are unfortunately many factors that we cannot influence ourselves. But that is why it is all the more important that we actively address the factors we can influence. This includes, among other things, exercise, regular movement, good sleeping habits, diet and avoiding aggravating lifestyle choices (such as smoking). With jaw exercises and general training, strengthening the muscles in the jaw and neck, you can achieve better blood circulation and thus also increased access to nutrients used for repair.

- Exercise the neck to relieve the jaw

Training the neck muscles can have a direct positive effect on the jaw.² And a neck depends on a good foundation, so the exercises we really recommend involve this elastic training program for increased strength in the shoulders, scapulae and the transition of the neck. This is a training program that is also often used to counteract hump in the neck and slouched back. By getting a better posture, we also get an improved neck posture with less forward head position. Which in turn puts less pressure on the upper neck joints (these are the ones that have the most impact on your jaw).

VIDEO: Strengthening exercises for the shoulders with elastic bands

In the video below shows chiropractor Alexander Andorff put forward a recommended exercise program for the shoulders and neck. You can aim to do the exercises with 10 repetitions over 3 sets. The program can be done every other day. In the video we use a pilates band (150 cm).

Feel free to subscribe our YouTube channel (click here) for more free exercise programs and health knowledge.

Active training of jaw strength

In addition to the above exercises, it is of course also appropriate to strengthen the jaw muscles locally. Many people then use a jaw trainer as shown below here. These come with different resistances, and we recommend that you start with the lightest and gradually work your way up to more resistance.

Our recommendation: Train your jaw with a jaw trainer

Such jaw trainers is also used by many to get more defined jaw muscles and facial muscles. You can read more about our recommendation here .

5. Treatment of osteoarthritis of the jaw

Our clinicians at the Vondtklinikkene Multidisciplinary Health know how important it is to have individually tailored treatment. There are a number of treatment methods that can provide functional improvement and symptom relief for osteoarthritis of the jaw. Among other things, therapeutic laser therapy has a documented effect against jaw problems and TMD syndrome. Studies have shown that this can provide both pain relief and better jaw function.⁶ This is a treatment technique we use for everyone our clinic departments, and we like to combine this with muscular work (including towards jaw trigger points), joint mobilization and rehabilitation exercises.

Physical treatment techniques for the jaw and neck

We get the best results, both functionally and symptomatically, when we combine evidence-based treatment techniques. Treatment methods used for osteoarthritis of the jaw may include:

• Physiotherapy

• Intramuscular acupuncture (dry needling)

• Intraoral trigger points in the jaw (muscle pterygoideus is a known cause of jaw tension)

• Low-dose laser therapy

• Joint mobilization (particularly important for the neck)

• Massage techniques

Feel free to contact us if you would like a consultation at one of our clinic departments. If we are too far away, we can recommend a therapist in your local area.

Low-dose laser therapy for jaw osteoarthritis

Large systematic review studies (the strongest form of research) have documented that low-dose laser is a good form of treatment for jaw problems. Both for acute and long-term ailments.⁶ If you want to learn more about this treatment, we recommend that you read this the guide to low-dose laser therapy written by our clinic department at Lambertseter in Oslo. The article opens in a new reader window.

6. Diagnosis of osteoarthritis in the jaw

An examination of the jaw will first start with a history taking. Here you tell the clinician about your symptoms and complaints. The consultation then moves on to the next part, which involves a functional examination of the jaw and neck. Among other things, joint mobility, pain sensitivity and muscle function are checked here. If osteoarthritis in the jaw and neck is suspected, a doctor or chiropractor can refer you to an X-ray examination (see example of how it might look below)

Summarizeering: Osteoarthritis of the jaw (jaw osteoarthritis)

Taking good care of your joints and taking active measures is a good investment for the future. We know that certain lifestyle choices, physical treatment and self-measures can help to slow down the development of osteoarthritis of the jaw. Again, we also want to emphasize how much better function in the neck can help against jaw problems. It is very important that you work actively with both structures to achieve the best possible results and improvement. If you are unsure where to start, we are happy to offer you guidance and answer your questions.

The pain clinics: Your choice for modern treatment

Our clinicians and clinic departments always aim to be among the elite in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of pain and injuries in muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. By pressing the button below, you can see an overview of our clinics - including in Oslo (incl Lambert seats) and Akershus (Raw wood og Eidsvoll Sound). Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or are wondering about anything.

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Article: Osteoarthritis of the jaw (osteoarthritis of the jaw)

Written by: Our publicly authorized chiropractors and physiotherapists at Vondtklinikkene Tverrfaglig Helse

Fact check: Our articles are always based on serious sources, research studies and research journals, such as PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Please contact us if you spot any errors or have comments.

Research and sources

1. Kroese et al, 2020. TMJ Pain and Crepitus Occur Early Whereas Dysfunction Develops Over Time in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2020;34(4):398-405.

2. Silveira et al, 2015. Jaw dysfunction is associated with neck disability and muscle tenderness in subjects with and without chronic temporomandibular disorders. Biomed Res Int . 2015:2015:512792.

3. Burr et al, 2021. The role of sleep dysfunction in temporomandibular onset and progression: A systematic review and meta-analyses. J Oral Rehabil. 2021 Feb;48(2):183-194.

4. Stavrou et al, 2022. Memory Foam Pillow as an Intervention in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Preliminary Randomized Study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Mar 9:9:842224.

5. Kalladka et al, 2014. Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: Diagnosis and Long-Term Conservative Management: A Topic Review. J Indian Prosthodont Soc. 2014 March; 14(1): 6–15.

6. Ahmad et al, 2021. Low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review. J Med Life. 2021 Mar-Apr; 14(2): 148–164.

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Frequently asked questions about osteoarthritis of the jaw (FAQ)

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